BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk of adverse perioperative neurological complications. Cerebral oximetry monitoring is increasingly used in these patients to detect intraoperative cerebral hypoxia or ischemic events. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) uses the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum for oximetry imaging. A case is reported of the persistence of normal tissue oxygenation monitored by NIRS values despite a prolonged perioperative cardiac arrest.

CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department with dysarthria, left facial ptosis, left hemiplegia, and arterial hypotension of 75/50 mmHg. Computed tomography (CT) angiography showed a Stanford type A aortic dissection extending to the right common carotid artery. Shortly after arrival in the operating room, his hemodynamic condition rapidly deteriorated resulting in cardiac arrest. Despite the rapid onset of extracorporeal circulation, adequate systemic blood flow could not be restored. Cerebral NIRS values remained within the normal range (70–80%) from the start of emergency resuscitation, during a prolonged period of extremely low global blood perfusion values, and until all resuscitation ceased.

CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral oximetry values reflect a balance between cerebral oxygen delivery and consumption. This case demonstrated the persistence of normal tissue oxygenation monitored by NIRS values despite a prolonged perioperative cardiac arrest.

Keywords: Artifacts, Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain, Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Cerebrovascular Circulation, Heart Arrest, Monitoring, Intraoperative